What Happens if Hernia Left Untreated?

A hernia is a medical condition which occurs when fatty tissues or an organ pushes through an opening through the weak muscles surrounding that organ. Hernias generally occur in the abdomen, but it can also appear in the groin area and thighs.

Hernia is not a dreadful disease and can happen to anyone of any age group. Although hernia doesn't cause any serious complications, but, if it keeps growing and is not treated on time, it could create problems for the organs surrounding the hernia.

An Untreated Hernia can be Dangerous

If hernia is left untreated, they tend to get bigger in size with time and can become more painful. It can at times cause serious health issues. In case the wall through which the hernia protrudes and closes, it might lead to strangulated hernia. A strangulated hernia might cut off the flow of blood to the abdomen. This might cause the death of the tissues surrounding the abdomen.

It is important to understand that an untreated hernia shall not go away on its own. You need to consult with the doctor and diagnose the situation well to get the best treatment. 

Hernias, in the initial stage will not cause any signs and symptoms. But if you notice that the hernia swelling is increasing constantly, and is creating discomfort, it is time you consult a doctor.

Here are two case studies of Pristyn Care patients, where the delay of the hernia treatment led to complications in the patient.

Case 1:

The patient concerned was a 65 years old male from Gurgaon. In the words of his 33 years old son, who accompanied him during his father’s surgical journey, “My father would often complain about pain in his stomach. He suffered from chest pain. We thought it was due to acidity. We gave medicines and eno for permanent relief. He got better instantly. This happened for quite some time. And, every time we relied on easily available medicines at home. One day, he suddenly felt very sick. He was suffering from terrible acidity. He felt nauseated and feverish. There was a bulge in his stomach. We rushed him to the hospital. Pristyn Care was the nearest to our residence. When we took our father there, the doctor diagnosed him and said he was suffering from an abdominal hernia. The doctor asked us to get him admitted as soon as possible. He said that my father was suffering from the hernia for quite a long time now. Since there were no symptoms, we could not understand the disease. The doctor also said that further delay of the surgery could strangulate the hernia and make it life-threatening. He suggested laparoscopic surgery. It was a minimally invasive surgery and totally painless. The doctor was really nice. He comforted us so much when we all panicked about our father’s health. The entire team was helpful and very professional. My father was given a diet chart to follow and advised to refrain from lifting heavyweights. He recovered in just a week. It’s been four months since the operation. We went for a follow up checkup. There was no recurrence of the hernia.”

Case 2:

The patient concerned was a 52 years old woman who suffered from hernia after three cesarean deliveries.The hernia near her surgical site kept growing without showing any symptoms. The bulge was visible but she did not pay attention. The hernia kept growing to the stage where it became strangulated and cut off the blood flow to the bowel. Due to this, the nearby tissues started getting damaged and dead. It was then that she felt severe pain in her abdomen. She started vomiting and head spinning was a common problem. When she visited Pristyn Care, her condition deteriorated to a serious extent. She needed urgent surgery. We opted for laparoscopic surgery since she had open surgeries thrice before. She was one of the most serious hernia cases that we have successfully treated at Pristyn Care. Had she delayed her treatment or ignored the bulge further, it would have caused serious health complications for her.

Hernia can be repaired either with open surgery or a laparoscopic surgery. In open surgery, incisions are made on top of the abdomen and the hernia is pushed back inside. The wall is closed and the skin is stitched from outside. On the other hand, in laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon inserts a tiny camera and advanced surgical instruments inside the abdomen to repair the hernia. This process of surgery involves very small incisions. Compared to the open surgical method, this one causes less damage to the muscles near the hernia site.

A person suffering from hernia can rely on certain hernia home remedies until the time of the surgery. He or she can either wear a truss or a corset to put the hernia in place. They can also use ice compresses to soothe the hernia. One should also avoid consumption of fatty or spicy foods.

Hernia can happen to anyone of any group. A little moderation in the lifestyle can help prevent one to a great extent.